More From The Military About DADT…

This morning Admiral Mike Mullen said what I have been saying about “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’s” impact on law enforcement…

“WASHINGTON – The military’s top uniformed officer declared Tuesday that gays should be allowed to serve openly in uniform, arguing that it is “the right thing to do.” Adm. Mike Mullen’s statement was the strongest yet from the uniformed military on this volatile issue, although he stressed that he was “speaking for myself and myself only.” He told the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday he is deeply troubled by a policy that forces people to ‘lie about who they are in order to defend their fellow citizens.'”

Herein lies the problem exactly and in law enforcement I can tell you that a DADT culture is very much alive and well. In fact, I talked with an officer this week who works for a rural department in northern California. He described for me the dilemma he faces every day at work when he is forced by the power of the agency culture to hide who he is in lieu of facing rejection. It’s so wrong.